Published: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 12:04 a.m.

Everett Dawkins has been a man in constant motion during his first 14 months in the NFL, packing light while yearning for a full-time opportunity to prove his worth.

The former Byrnes and Florida State star has learned of life in the league the hard way, and while he's yet to latch on to a much-desired steady gig, there has certainly been no lack of teams looking to quickly bring him aboard once he's been back on the market.

“It's just how the NFL works sometimes,” Dawkins said. “One team may need something else all of a sudden more than they need you, so they let you go, but then a couple more teams might need and want you. I think it goes a long way showing the type of player I am that teams have picked me up quickly. By no means at all am I not qualified or not good enough to play in the NFL, this is just something with how it works.”

Dawkins joined his fourth franchise last week when he was instantly signed by the N.Y. Giants not long after finishing a workout. The one-year deal is for a reported $420,000 with no guaranteed money.

The now 24-year-old was drafted in the seventh round (229th overall) by Minnesota on April 27, 2013 before Dallas signed him off the Vikings practice squad on Nov. 6. Dawkins played for the Cowboys in one game at New Orleans before being released prior to that month's end.

He was picked up by Tampa Bay, but never competed for the Bucs and was released June 13 before signing with the Giants less than a week later. Dawkins said he had workouts lined up with other franchises in addition to New York before being snatched up to play in the big city.

“I did have some other teams who had interest in me, but the Giants were the first to have me come work out and they immediately signed me to a contract after the final workout on Thursday,” Dawkins said.

“There's no doubt it's a great boost to my confidence. My situation in Tampa wasn't where I felt as if I wasn't able to play in the NFL, it was more of a thing where a numbers game came up and somebody had to be released and it just happened to be me. I know I can play and I knew I'd get signed by somebody, so it's great to now be a part of the Giants organization so I can go up there and get to work.”

The 6-foot-2, 298-pounder has proven athleticism after beginning his collegiate career at defensive end before bulking up and taking on the middle of the trenches after Florida State developed a need. He joins a defensive front in New York that was once one of the NFL's most feared, but is now seeking help in the middle to complement ends Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka and Robert Ayers.

Among those Dawkins will be battling for a spot on the 53-man roster after he reports for training camp on July 20 are free agent rookie Kelcy Quarles (a Greenwood and USC product) and recent third-round pick Jay Bromley out of Syracuse. The Giants play an extra preseason game due to playing the Bills in the Aug. 3 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

“I just feel good about having the chance,” Dawkins said. “I haven't looked into it much to see what kind of guys they have there. You shouldn't really look at that because at the end of the day it doesn't matter who is on the line or who is in front of you or whatever. You have to have a business approach and that will say a lot for you. I will just strive to do my best and go from there.”

Dawkins said he'll continue making Spartanburg his home base until he's able to establish himself for a couple of solid seasons in the league. His living arrangements the past year have been short-term leases with teammates and long stints residing in a hotel room. He continues to have no doubt the proper situation will come along and he'll finally be in the right place at the right time.

“I'm playing for my fourth team now while most people who got drafted with my class are still with the same one team,” Dawkins said. “The good thing about it is that I'm still on a team when a lot of people are back home without a place to play, so I still have to be grateful for that. But it's still about getting a chance to actually get on the field and play, going out there and doing my thing.”

<p>Everett Dawkins has been a man in constant motion during his first 14 months in the NFL, packing light while yearning for a full-time opportunity to prove his worth.</p><p>The former Byrnes and Florida State star has learned of life in the league the hard way, and while he's yet to latch on to a much-desired steady gig, there has certainly been no lack of teams looking to quickly bring him aboard once he's been back on the market.</p><p>“It's just how the NFL works sometimes,” Dawkins said. “One team may need something else all of a sudden more than they need you, so they let you go, but then a couple more teams might need and want you. I think it goes a long way showing the type of player I am that teams have picked me up quickly. By no means at all am I not qualified or not good enough to play in the NFL, this is just something with how it works.”</p><p>Dawkins joined his fourth franchise last week when he was instantly signed by the N.Y. Giants not long after finishing a workout. The one-year deal is for a reported $420,000 with no guaranteed money.</p><p>The now 24-year-old was drafted in the seventh round (229th overall) by Minnesota on April 27, 2013 before Dallas signed him off the Vikings practice squad on Nov. 6. Dawkins played for the Cowboys in one game at New Orleans before being released prior to that month's end.</p><p>He was picked up by Tampa Bay, but never competed for the Bucs and was released June 13 before signing with the Giants less than a week later. Dawkins said he had workouts lined up with other franchises in addition to New York before being snatched up to play in the big city.</p><p>“I did have some other teams who had interest in me, but the Giants were the first to have me come work out and they immediately signed me to a contract after the final workout on Thursday,” Dawkins said. </p><p>“There's no doubt it's a great boost to my confidence. My situation in Tampa wasn't where I felt as if I wasn't able to play in the NFL, it was more of a thing where a numbers game came up and somebody had to be released and it just happened to be me. I know I can play and I knew I'd get signed by somebody, so it's great to now be a part of the Giants organization so I can go up there and get to work.”</p><p>The 6-foot-2, 298-pounder has proven athleticism after beginning his collegiate career at defensive end before bulking up and taking on the middle of the trenches after Florida State developed a need. He joins a defensive front in New York that was once one of the NFL's most feared, but is now seeking help in the middle to complement ends Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka and Robert Ayers.</p><p>Among those Dawkins will be battling for a spot on the 53-man roster after he reports for training camp on July 20 are free agent rookie Kelcy Quarles (a Greenwood and USC product) and recent third-round pick Jay Bromley out of Syracuse. The Giants play an extra preseason game due to playing the Bills in the Aug. 3 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.</p><p>“I just feel good about having the chance,” Dawkins said. “I haven't looked into it much to see what kind of guys they have there. You shouldn't really look at that because at the end of the day it doesn't matter who is on the line or who is in front of you or whatever. You have to have a business approach and that will say a lot for you. I will just strive to do my best and go from there.”</p><p>Dawkins said he'll continue making Spartanburg his home base until he's able to establish himself for a couple of solid seasons in the league. His living arrangements the past year have been short-term leases with teammates and long stints residing in a hotel room. He continues to have no doubt the proper situation will come along and he'll finally be in the right place at the right time.</p><p>“I'm playing for my fourth team now while most people who got drafted with my class are still with the same one team,” Dawkins said. “The good thing about it is that I'm still on a team when a lot of people are back home without a place to play, so I still have to be grateful for that. But it's still about getting a chance to actually get on the field and play, going out there and doing my thing.”</p>